Folding exercise mat

ABSTRACT

An exercise mat is provided having a top surface having a plurality of top grooves spanning a width of a mat body and a bottom surface having a plurality of bottom grooves spanning the width of the mat body. The mat body is formed from a single piece of material, and the top grooves extend from the top surface towards the bottom surface and the bottom grooves extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface. The mat body is then foldable along the top and bottom grooves in opposite directions. The mat body has a thickness from the top surface to the bottom surface of more than 6 mm. Also provided is a method for exercising using the exercise mat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application takes priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/288,765, filed Dec. 13, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to folding exercise mats, such as folding yoga mats, as well as for methods for exercising using folding exercise mats.

BACKGROUND

Yoga mats are mats generally designed to provide some padding and prevent slipping while performing certain exercises and other activities. Accordingly, such mats are designed to provide some padding while still providing sufficient stiffness and stability to perform exercises and to provide grip and prevent slipping relative to a surface the mat is placed on.

Existing mats vary in terms of their material consistency, and are relatively thin, typically ranging from 2 mm to 6 mm. Thickness is selected based on desired stability balanced against padding, and portability. Such mats are typically rolled up for storage and for portability, and therefore a thicker mat results in a bulkier and more unwieldy rolled up package.

Exercises performed on yoga mats range from slow paced exercises, such as holding poses or meditation, to faster paced and more energetic exercises, which may include lateral movements and transitions between positions. Materials are selected for padding and flexibility, and thicker mats selected for comfort generally provide less stability for more energetic exercises.

Further, some exercises may require a raised surface or a surface with several distinct heights or different amounts of padding. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , Users typically use an independent step, stool, knee pads, or a seat, in combination with a yoga mat, by placing the independent structure on top of the yoga mat. However, this requires additional items for exercising, and such independent structures often slide relative to each other. This is particularly true where exercises involve the application of lateral forces.

Where users do not have an independent structure required for such additional height or padding, such users may fold a yoga pad in half, or partially roll the pad. As shown in FIG. 4 , this approach is often precarious, and the mat can slide and slip out of position, resulting in injury.

Further, due to the standard thicknesses of existing yoga mats, such mats are not sufficiently thick to be used as a seat or stool, even when folded.

Exercise mats are thicker than yoga mats, but are typically formed using a cover enclosing internal padding. Accordingly, while yoga poses and exercises often require lateral stability, the cover of such exercise pads may move relative to the underlying padding. Further, such exercise mats are typically too soft to provide the necessary stability, and even folding mats are generally folded only for storage, and are not designed to provide usability in folded or partially folded configurations.

There is a need for an exercise mat or yoga mat that can provide a stable foundation for various exercises, including slow paced exercises and more energetic exercises, while still providing sufficient thickness and stability for use as a stool, step, or seat in appropriate configurations. There is a further need for such an exercise mat or yoga mat that is portable.

SUMMARY

The current disclosure provides a folding exercise mat for us, for example, as a yoga mat, as well as for additional exercise. Also provided are methods for exercising using the exercise mat described.

In some embodiments, an exercise mat is provided having a top surface having a plurality of top grooves spanning a width of a mat body and a bottom surface having a plurality of bottom grooves spanning the width of the mat body.

The mat body is formed from a single piece of material, and the top grooves extend from the top surface towards the bottom surface and the bottom grooves extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface. The mat body is then foldable along the top and bottom grooves in opposite directions.

The mat body has a thickness from the top surface to the bottom surface of more than 6 mm.

In some embodiments, one of the plurality of bottom grooves is centered along a length of the bottom surface. In some such embodiments, the mat body has more bottom grooves than top grooves.

In some embodiments, the bottom surface is provided with a gripping texture, and the gripping texture extends more deeply into the mat body than a texture on of the top surface. In some such embodiments, the gripping texture has ridges for gripping and the texture of the top surface comprises a bead blast texture.

In some embodiments, the top surface comprises three top surface segments separated by the top grooves. In some such embodiments, each of the three top surface segments are bisected by a bottom groove on the bottom surface.

In some embodiments, each of the top grooves and each of the bottom grooves comprise two opposing groove walls, and the groove walls are sloped relative to a plane perpendicular to the exercise mat, such that the groove walls slope away from each other.

In some embodiments, the mat body comprises one or more of polyolefin elastomers (POE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In some embodiments, the mat body comprises a cross linked polyethylene foam.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the mat body is approximately 12 mm.

In some embodiments, during use, the mat body is provided with a plurality of configurations. In a first configuration of the plurality of configurations, the mat body is substantially planar, and in a second configuration of the plurality of configurations, the mat body is folded along a bottom groove to form a secondary upward facing mat surface at a height different than the top surface. The top surface and the secondary mat surface are then used simultaneously to support a user.

In some embodiments, the exercise mat is a yoga mat.

Also provided is a method for exercising. Such a method includes providing an exercise mat having a top surface having a plurality of top grooves spanning a width of the mat bottom and a bottom surface having a plurality of bottom grooves spanning the width of the body, the bottom grooves being offset from the top grooves. The mat body is formed from a single piece of material, and the top grooves extend from the top surface towards the bottom surface and the bottom grooves extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface. The mat body has a thickness from the top surface to the bottom surface of more than 6 mm.

Once the mat is provided to the user, the user is instructed to position the exercise mat in a first configuration in which the mat body is substantially planar with the bottom surface resting on the floor. The user is then instructed to perform a first exercise utilizing the mat. The user is then instructed to fold the exercise mat along at least one bottom groove such that the mat is in a second configuration, and the user is then instructed to perform a second exercise utilizing the exercise mat.

In some embodiments, the second configuration includes a secondary upward facing mat surface at a height different than the top surface. The second exercise then requires surfaces at distinct heights.

In some such embodiments, the second exercise requires a sitting surface at a height raised relative to a primary mat surface.

In some embodiments, the second exercise generates lateral forces in opposite directions on the secondary upward facing mat surface and the top surface.

In some embodiments, the second configuration includes a secondary upward facing mat surface with a height different than the top surface, and the second exercise requires a surface having more padding than the first exercise.

In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the exercise mat is provided with a gripping texture. The gripping texture then extends more deeply into the mat body than a texture of the top surface.

In some embodiments, the mat body has more bottom grooves than top grooves.

In some embodiments, each of the top grooves and each of the bottom grooves comprise two opposing groove walls. The groove walls are then sloped relative to a plane perpendicular to the exercise mat, such that the groove walls slope away from each other.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the mat body is approximately 12 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a knee pad placed on top of a traditional yoga mat.

FIG. 2 shows a seat placed on top of a traditional yoga mat.

FIG. 3 shows a wrist pad used in combination with a traditional yoga mat.

FIG. 4 shows a traditional yoga mat folded for extra padding.

FIGS. 5A-B show upper and lower perspective views of an exercise mat in accordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the exercise mat of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the exercise mat of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the exercise mat of FIG. 5 .

FIGS. 9 and 10 show detailed views of segments of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 shows use of the exercise mat of FIG. 5 in a first configuration.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show use of the exercise mat of FIG. 5 in a second configuration.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show use of the exercise mat of FIG. 5 in a third configuration.

FIG. 16 shows use of the exercise mat of FIG. 5 in a fourth configuration.

FIG. 17 shows the exercise mat of FIG. 5 being folded.

FIG. 18 shows distinct portions of the exercise mat of FIG. 5 , including a portion of a top surface and a portion of the bottom surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

The described exercise mat may be used as a yoga mat or for the performance of a wide variety of distinct exercises. Accordingly, the mat described is referred to as an exercise mat herein, but it will be understood that implementations of the mat described may be used and marketed as both generic exercise mats and yoga mats.

FIGS. 5A-B show upper and lower perspective views of an exercise mat 500 in accordance with this disclosure. FIG. 6 shows a top view, FIG. 7 shows a bottom view, and FIG. 8 shows a side view of the exercise mat 500 of FIG. 5 .

As shown, the exercise mat 500 comprises a top surface 510 which includes a plurality of top grooves 520. Each top groove spans a width 530 of the mat body 500. The exercise mat 500 also comprises a bottom surface 540 which has a plurality of bottom grooves 550, each of which also spans the width 530 of the mat body 500.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the top bottom grooves 550 are offset relative to the top grooves 520, such that the top grooves and the bottom grooves are not opposite each other.

The mat body 500 is formed from a single piece of material, and within that single piece of material, the top grooves 520 extend from the top surface 510 towards the bottom surface 540 and the bottom grooves 550 extend from the bottom surface 540 towards the top surface 510. The mat body 500 is then foldable along the top and bottom grooves 520, 550 in opposite directions.

The mat body 500 may be made from a variety of materials which are typically molded to shape. The materials may be one or more of polyolefin elastomers (POE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In some embodiments, the mat body 500 may comprise cross linked polyethylene foam. The particular material used is generally stiffer than that used in many yoga mats, and the stiffness of, for example, cross linked polyethylene foam, provides extra rigidity for the mat body 500 when in varied configurations. For example, in embodiments where the mat body 500 is folded, the added thickness should provide additional height for exercises, and as such, the material should be sufficiently thick to prevent the mat crushing when folded. Accordingly, the folded mat body 500 can function as an integrated block or bolster.

In some embodiments, the density of the material used for the mat body 500 is approximately 100 kg per cubic meter.

The top surface 510 and the bottom surface 540 may be provided with different textures. For example, in some embodiments, the top surface 510 may be a generally matte surface, or a matte bead sandblasted texture to allow for a generally smooth surface that provides some grip to a user. The bottom surface 540 may provide a contrast, and may be designed for additional grip. As such, the bottom surface 540 may be ridged or otherwise textured to better grip a surface 1100 on which the mat rests.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the bottom surface 540 is provided with a gripping texture. Where the top surface 510 is also provided with a gripping texture, the bottom surface 540 gripping texture typically extends more deeply into the mat body 500 than a texture of the top surface.

During use, and as described in more detail below, folding the mat body 500 along different combinations of the top and bottom grooves 520, 550 results in a variety of configurations. Such configurations may be for storage, or they may be for performing distinct exercises using the exercise mat 500.

The mat body 500 provided is thicker than a traditional yoga mat, and therefore a thickness 560 from top surface 510 to the bottom surface 540 is more than 6 mm. In the embodiment shown, the thickness is approximately 12 mm. This thickness allows for a thickness sufficient to perform various exercises in the different configurations discussed below.

As shown, one of the plurality of bottom grooves 550 is centered along a length 570 of the bottom. Accordingly, folding along the center bottom groove 550 would result in folding the mat body 500 in half. This would simultaneously halve the length 570 and double the thickness 560 of the mat body 500, so as to accommodate exercises requiring a thicker mat for support.

As shown, in some embodiments, when provided in a first configuration, the mat body 500 is flat and the top surface 510 comprises three top surface segments 580 divided by two top grooves 520. The bottom surface 540 may then have the same or a different number of bottom surface segments 590. In the embodiment shown, the mat body 500 has four bottom surface segments 590 divided by three bottom grooves 550. As shown, each of the three top surface segments 580 is then bisected by a bottom groove 550 on the bottom surface 540. As such, the mat body 500 generally has more bottom grooves 550 than top grooves 520. Further, while the top surface 510 is generally divided into three equally sized top surface segments 580, the bottom surface 540 may be provided with bottom surface segments 590 at ends of the mat body 500 that have different sizes.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show detailed views of segments of FIG. 8 showing bottom grooves 550 and top grooves 520 respectively.

As shown, each of the top grooves 520 and each of the bottom grooves 550 may comprise two opposing groove walls 900. The groove walls 900 may oppose each other across the groove and may be sloped relative to a plane 910 perpendicular to the exercise mat body 500. As such, the groove walls 900 may slope away from each other during use. This may be at, for example, a 10 degree angle.

FIG. 11 shows use of the exercise mat 500 of FIG. 5 in a first configuration. The first configuration shows the mat body 500 provided in a substantially planar configuration, such that the three panels 580 of the top surface 510 are visible. In the first configuration, the bottom surface 540 of the mat body 500 rests on a surface 1100, such as a floor, and is not visible.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show use of the exercise mat 500 of FIG. 5 in a second configuration. As shown, the mat body 500 is folded along a bottom groove 550 to form a secondary upward facing mat surface 1200, which comprises a portion of the bottom surface 540 of the mat body. The secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 is at a height different than the top surface 510 of the mat body 500, and the top surface 510 and the secondary upward facing mat surface are used simultaneously to support a user 1210.

When in the second configuration, the exercise mat 500 may be used for a variety of exercises, and the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 provides a raised surface with extra padding relative to the rest of the mat body. The mat thickness at the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 is therefore twice the mat thickness 560 of the mat body, or 24 mm thick, where the mat body is 12 mm. The secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 may thereby function as a rest for a user's 1210 wrist, forearm, or elbow during certain exercises.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show use of the exercise mat 500 of FIG. 5 in a third configuration. When in the third configuration, the mat body 500 is folded along two of the bottom grooves 550 and one of the upper grooves 520. Accordingly, the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 is still formed from a portion of the bottom surface 540 of the mat, but it rests on top of an additional folded top surface segment 580 of the mat body 550. Accordingly, the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 provides four times the thickness 560 of the mat body 500, or 48 mm thick, where the mat is 12 mm thick.

As shown, in the third configuration, the mat body 500 may then have two distinct surfaces, with the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 being raised and padded relative to the top surface 510. The third configuration provides a greater disparity between the upward facing mat surfaces 510, 1200 than the second configuration, and is therefore usable for different exercises that require such a greater disparity. Further, because the material is stiffer than materials used in typical yoga mats, the additional surface height disparity is usable in exercises, and the mat would not crush to function simply as added padding.

As shown, the third configuration also allows the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 to be used as a seat, while a user's feet rest on the top surface 510 of the mat body 500.

As is shown in FIGS. 12-14 , various exercises may be performed with the mat body 500 in various partially folded configurations. Because of the material characteristics of the mat body 500 and because of the single piece construction, the mat can withstand lateral forces during use. As such, the exercise performed on the partially folded mat body 500 may generate lateral forces 1220 in opposite directions on the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 and on the top surface 510 of the mat body.

FIG. 16 shows use of the exercise mat 500 of FIG. 5 in a fourth configuration. As shown, the mat body 500 is fully folded, and as such, only the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 is usable. This configuration provides six times the thickness 560 of the mat, or 72 mm of overall thickness in the case of a mat body 500 that is 12 mm thick. As discussed above, due to the stiffness of the material that the mat body 500 is formed from, the secondary upward facing matt surface 1200 folded mat is usable as a surface for various exercises, as shown in FIG. 16 , or as a surface for a seat for meditation or rest.

FIG. 17 shows the exercise mat 500 of FIG. 5 being folded. As shown, and as discussed above, the mat body 500 folds along the top and bottom grooves 510, 540, and the bottom surface 540 is provided with textured grooves that grip a surface 100 on which the mat rests. In some embodiments, the mat body 500 may be provided with integrated handles or the exercise mat may be provided with straps or the a carrying case for transporting the mat in the folded configuration.

FIG. 18 shows distinct portions of the exercise mat 500 of FIG. 5 , including a portion of a top surface 510 and a portion of the bottom surface 550. As shown, the top surface 540 is provided with a texture that extends more deeply into the mat body 500 than does a texture of the top surface.

During use, the exercise mat 500 described supports a method for exercising. As such, the user 1210 is initially provided with an exercise mat 500 having a top surface 510 having a plurality of top grooves 520 spanning a width 530 of the mat body 500.

The provided mat also has a bottom surface 540 with a plurality of bottom grooves 550 spanning the width of the mat body 530, the bottom grooves being offset from the top grooves 520.

The mat body 500 is formed from a single piece of material, and the top grooves 520 extend from the top surface 510 towards the bottom surface 540 and the bottom grooves 550 extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface. The mat body 500 has a thickness 560 from the top surface 510 to the bottom surface 540 of more than 6 mm, and in some embodiments, the thickness is approximately 12 mm.

The user 1210 initially positions the exercise mat 500 in a first configuration, such as that shown in FIG. 11 , in which the mat body 500 is substantially planar with the bottom surface 540 resting on a floor 1100. The user then performs, or is instructed to perform, a first exercise utilizing the exercise mat.

The user 1210 then folds the exercise mat 500 along at least one of the bottom grooves 550 such that the mat is in a second configuration. This may be, for example, the configuration of FIGS. 12-15 . The user then performs, or is instructed to perform, a second exercise utilizing the exercise mat 500.

The second configuration typically comprises a secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 at a height different than the top surface 510 of the mat. The second exercise performed by the user 1210 generally requires surfaces at distinct heights. In some embodiments, the second exercise requires a sitting surface 1200, as shown in FIG. 15 , at a height raised relative to the primary mat surface 510. In some embodiments, the second exercise requires a surface having more padding than the first exercise.

As discussed above, the second exercise may generate lateral forces 1220 in opposite directions on the secondary upward facing mat surface 1200 and the top surface 510 of the mat.

While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise mat comprising: a top surface having a plurality of top grooves spanning a width of a mat body; and a bottom surface having a plurality of bottom grooves spanning the width of the mat body, the bottom grooves being offset relative to the top grooves; wherein the mat body is formed from a single piece of material, the top grooves extend from the top surface towards the bottom surface, and the bottom grooves extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface; wherein the mat body is foldable along the top and bottom grooves in opposite directions; and wherein the mat body has a thickness from the top surface to the bottom surface of more than 6 mm.
 2. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of bottom grooves is centered along a length of the bottom surface.
 3. The exercise mat of claim 2 wherein the mat body has more bottom grooves than top grooves.
 4. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface is provided with a gripping texture, with the gripping texture extending more deeply into the mat body than a texture of the top surface.
 5. The exercise mat of claim 4 wherein the gripping texture has ridges for gripping and wherein the texture of the top surface comprises a bead blast texture.
 6. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein the top surface comprises three top surface segments separated by the top grooves.
 7. The exercise mat of claim 6 wherein each of the three top surface segments is bisected by a bottom groove on the bottom surface.
 8. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein each of the top grooves and each of the bottom grooves comprises two opposing groove walls, and wherein the groove walls are sloped relative to a plane perpendicular to the exercise mat, such that the groove walls slope away from each other.
 9. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein the mat body comprises one or more of polyolefin elastomers (POE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
 10. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein the mat body comprises a cross linked polyethylene foam.
 11. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the mat body is approximately 12 mm.
 12. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein, during use, the mat body is provided with a plurality of configurations, and wherein in a first configuration of the plurality of configurations, the mat body is substantially planar, and wherein in a second configuration of the plurality of configurations, the mat body is folded along a bottom groove to form a secondary upward facing mat surface at a height different than the top surface, and wherein the top surface and the secondary mat surface are used simultaneously to support a user.
 13. The exercise mat of claim 1 wherein the exercise mat is a yoga mat.
 14. A method for exercising, the method comprising: providing an exercise mat having a top surface having a plurality of top grooves spanning a width of a mat body; and a bottom surface having a plurality of bottom grooves spanning the width of the mat body, the bottom grooves being offset from the top grooves, wherein the mat body is formed from a single piece of material, the top grooves extend from the top surface towards the bottom surface, and the bottom grooves extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface, and wherein the mat body has a thickness from the top surface to the bottom surface of more than 6 mm, instructing a user to position the exercise mat in a first configuration in which the mat body is substantially planar with the bottom surface resting on a floor; instructing the user to perform a first exercise utilizing the exercise mat; instructing the user to fold the exercise mat along at least one bottom groove such that the mat is in a second configuration; instructing the user to perform a second exercise utilizing the exercise mat.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second configuration comprises a secondary upward facing mat surface at a height different than the top surface, and wherein the second exercise requires surfaces at distinct heights
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second exercise requires a sitting surface at a height raised relative to a primary mat surface.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second exercise generates lateral forces in opposite directions on the secondary upward facing mat surface and the top surface.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the second configuration comprises a secondary upward facing mat surface at a height different than the top surface, and wherein the second exercise requires a surface having more padding than the first exercise.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the bottom surface of the exercise mat is provided with a gripping texture, with the gripping texture extending more deeply into the mat body than a texture of the top surface.
 20. The exercise mat of claim 14, wherein the mat body has more bottom grooves than top grooves.
 21. The exercise mat of claim 14, wherein each of the top grooves and each of the bottom grooves comprises two opposing groove walls, and wherein the groove walls are sloped relative to a plane perpendicular to the exercise mat, such that the groove walls slope away from each other.
 22. The exercise mat of claim 14, wherein the thickness of the mat body is approximately 12 mm. 